May 8th, 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, a pivotal moment in Berlin’s history and a turning point for the world. This year, Berlin commemorates this milestone with a special public holiday on May 8th – a one-off day of remembrance and reflection.
Bundesarchiv, B 145 Bild-P054320 / Weinrother, Carl / CC-BY-SA 3.0
As the war came to a close in spring 1945, Berlin was the final battleground. The Battle of Seelow Heights in April 1945 was one of the last major battles on the Eastern Front, as Soviet forces broke through German defenses and moved towards Berlin. Soon after, the Battle of Berlin engulfed the city in intense fighting, with the Red Army closing in from all sides.
One of the most iconic moments came when Soviet soldiers raised their flag over the Reichstag, after a brutal fight known as the Battle of the Reichstag, symbolizing the fall of Nazi Germany. Just days earlier, Adolf Hitler had committed suicide in his bunker, now an unmarked parking lot near Potsdamer Platz.
On May 8, 1945, Germany officially surrendered at the former German-Soviet headquarters in Karlshorst, now home to the Museum Berlin-Karlshorst. This site is a must-visit to understand the significance of the war’s end and the complex post-war legacy.
Berlin was devastated. Entire neighborhoods lay in ruins. The city saw immense suffering not only among soldiers but civilians, as Volkssturm units, including elderly men and even children, were forced into combat. The sheer scale of the fighting was staggering – with millions of soldiers involved and thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire.
In the chaos, the last deportation from Berlin took place on March 27, 1945, from Anhalter Bahnhof, where Jews were still sent to Theresienstadt ghetto. Today, the ruins of Anhalter Bahnhof and the deportation information board serve as stark reminders of this dark chapter.
As Soviet forces liberated Sachsenhausen concentration camp near Berlin, the horrors of the Holocaust came into full view. In central Berlin, the Holocaust Memorial stands as a solemn tribute to the victims.
Explore WW2 History in Berlin Today
There are many places across the city where you can still see the scars of the war, from bullet holes on buildings to historic sites that tell the story of Berlin in 1945. My private WW2 tours offer a deep dive into these powerful locations, including:
Museum Berlin-Karlshorst – Site of the German surrender
Reichstag – Symbol of Berlin’s fall and rebirth
Holocaust Memorial – Honoring victims of the Nazi regime
Anhalter Bahnhof ruins – Last deportation site
Hitler’s Bunker site (parking lot) – Where history ended underground
Berlin Story Museum – In a real WW2 bunker
Topography of Terror – Former SS/Gestapo HQ, now a museum
Visible bullet holes – Throughout Berlin, history etched in stone
For a full guide to these and other locations, check out my detailed blog post: WW2 Sights in Berlin – Complete Guide
Book a Private WW2 Tour in Berlin
If you want to experience this history first-hand, I offer customized WW2 private tours in Berlin, tailored to your interests and paced for your group. Learn more about what happened 80 years ago and how it still shapes Berlin today.
Don’t miss this special anniversary year – May 8th is a unique chance to be in Berlin on a day of reflection, remembrance, and understanding.
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